Enhance the thermal stability of PMMA by predecomposing its defect structures in a continuous polymerization process

This paper presents a novel idea that PMMA with high thermal stability may be produced by predecomposing way to remove the chains with head-to head linkages or unsaturated ends during a high temperature continuous polymerization, and, which tested by a pilot continuous polymerization equipment and thermogravimeter (TGA). The result shows that the idea is feasible and efficient, when the reaction and devolatilization steps were carried out at 155 and 300 °C, the chains with the head-to-head linkages or unsaturated ends in free radically polymerized PMMA can be removed completely. The obtained PMMA has an onset temperature of thermal degradation higher than 310